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    Media release

    TAFE NSW Wetherill Park | 4 November 2025

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    Local nurse turned teacher helps strengthen health workforce

    “I started the training for my nursing career at TAFE NSW and it laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Returning now as a teacher is incredibly meaningful. I want to inspire future nurses the same way my teachers inspired me.”

    Rosemarie Garcia, teacher of Nursing

    Two decades after beginning her nursing journey at TAFE NSW Wetherill Park, Rosemarie Garcia is back, this time as a teacher, helping train the next generation of nurses at a time when the profession is facing critical workforce shortages.

    Her return to the classroom comes amid a growing health workforce shortage. Australia is facing a shortage of more than 70,000 nurses by 2035, while the population of the Liverpool region where Rosemarie now teaches is expected to exceed 1.2 million by the early 2030s.

    Rosemarie Garcia, equipped with a surgical mask and gloves, is engaged in operating a machine in a healthcare environment.

    After completing a Certificate III in Aged Care Support in 2007, Rosemarie progressed through a Diploma of Nursing and eventually a Bachelor and Master of Nursing, working across intensive care, neonatal units, oncology, and clinical education roles at Liverpool Hospital.

    She credits practical training, supportive teachers, and industry-aligned curriculum at TAFE NSW with giving her the tools and confidence to succeed not just in nursing, but in leadership and education.

    “Nursing has its challenges, but it’s also deeply rewarding. It’s a profession that humbles you, especially when you’re working at a patient’s bedside. At the end of the day, knowing I’ve made even the smallest difference in someone’s life is the most fulfilling part of my job. Now, I’m sharing the skills and knowledge I learnt at TAFE NSW to help others do the same.”

    With healthcare environments evolving rapidly, especially with the integration of technology like Telehealth and remote monitoring, nurses need to be agile and well-skilled in patient care and digital tools. That adaptability starts in the classroom and in simulation labs that mirror real clinical conditions, which Rosemarie says is vital.

    “TAFE NSW nursing simulation labs reflect the realities of modern healthcare,” she said. “Whether it’s preparing for intensive care unit shifts or learning Telehealth delivery, we ensure our students are ready to respond to real-world challenges in flexible models of care.”

    TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Nursing Studies at Wetherill Park, Monica Hourmozi, said Rosemarie’s journey demonstrates the lifelong impact of education and training with TAFE NSW, on individuals and communities.

    “Seeing Rosemarie come full circle, from a student to now equipping and inspiring the next generation of skilled workers, is incredibly rewarding,” Mrs Hourmozi said. “When a student comes to TAFE NSW, they don’t just gain a qualification, they gain confidence, purpose, and real-world capability. They experience the support of our teachers, strong connections to industry and a learning environment fit for building job-ready skills.”

    Media contact: Rachel Ecclestone, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.


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